starting to get some red algea on the sand bed

[slb11106]

i have been getting red algea on my sand bed, i have to stir the sand every day or two so it does not get carried away. is this normal ? do i need to change something ? all perameters are great and i do a water change every 30 days (20gal on my 90gal tank)

 

[Witfull]

do a search for Cynobacteria and cyno,,,lots to read~

 

[iluvzigz]

try to syphon(sp) it out rather then stirring it up, when you do your water changes. So you remove it not just move it around.

 

[Gina]

Like mentioned above, try to siphon out all you can!
Try also running some Phosban or Rowaphos.

 

[cheeks69]

Cyano is usually due to nitrate/phosphate...How often do you feed and how much ? How often do you do water changes ? Are you using RO water ? What are you dosing ? How much flow do you have ?

I agree you should syphon it out of the tank not stir the SB.

 

[lcstorc]

What do your phosphatest test at?
I would increase the frequency of water changes as well until you start seeing a reduction in the cyano.
Also, do you soak your food in ro water before feeding? Most fish food contains high phosphates which contribute to the issue.

 

[iluvzigz]

when i had that problem with the red cyno. ... i used some red slime remover. I used a lil less then suggested..and then did a good water change the next day or so....ive heard mixed reviews about this stuff, but I seemed to have luck with it myself... it hasnt returned since.

 

[lcstorc]

I tried it once and while it did work to some extent, it messed up my skimmer for 2 weeks and 2 30% waterchanges. Only then could I resume skimming. The real answer is to find what it is feeding off of and reduce the nutrients.

 

[burning2nd]

i uses several things, the red slim remover, the stirr and skimm method (stirr it in to the wind then catch it with a net)

but it comes from no3 and phosphate, you need to adress the source to remove it completly